Horse racing is a popular sport in many countries around the world, from the United States and Japan through to the United Kingdom and Australia. And while many love it purely for the theatre itself, a large number of those who follow horse racing do so through the lens of betting. Making money on horse racing, however, is not easy, and many avoid a number of important things that they should be considering before placing a bet. Below, we’ll take you through some of the most notable of these.
Compare Odds
It’s no secret that different bookmakers have different odds available, but given there’s not typically a huge amount of difference from one betting site to another, plenty of bettors don’t place as much emphasis on it as they probably should. For one individual bet it’s not really a big deal whether you get odds of $2.50 or $2.60, for example, on a runner, but over time this difference can really add up. With so many betting sites around there are plenty of different options for you to choose from, so make sure you do the requisite research to make sure you get as much bang for your buck as possible.
Check Track Conditions
The conditions of a track can change pretty significantly depending on the weather during and before a meet, and this can have a major impact on the outcome of the race. Some horses excel when the track is wet – which typically results in it being denoted either ‘heavy’ or ‘soft’ – while others do a lot better on a firm track. It’s not always the case, but often the latter of these will be the type of runners that come from the back and pick up a lot of speed late, which is not a racing style conducive to a wet track. Bookmakers will, of course, factor this into their odds, but you should still be aware of track conditions and, if you’re betting a few days in advance, can sometimes get a little leg up by taking a look at the forecast in the lead-up to race day.
Look for Horse Racing Promotions
With so many different bookmakers floating around, each of them is constantly looking to separate themselves from their competitors, and promotions are one of the primary ways through which they do this. There are plenty of these going around for horse racing, and shopping around for these can be a good way to get a bit of an advantage, particularly if you use multiple different betting sites. These can come in many forms, from odds boosts through to bet returns if your horse finishes in the top three places, so take a look around for a few different kinds of these Horse Racing Promotions a to help give yourself an improved chance of beating the bookie.
Study the Form
This might sound like an obvious one, but you’d be surprised how many punters place bets on a whim, or base their selection on something irrelevant like the horse’s name or the colours the jockey is wearing. This, evidently, is not a particularly good way to make a profit. Make sure that you do your research before placing a bet; take a look at the recent form of the runners, where they are at in their current preparation, how they perform at the distance and track and so on and so forth. Don’t place a bet simply at the last minute based on very little information – instead, be thorough in your research to get a better understanding of how the race is likely to play out.
Understand Your Own Limits
At the risk of sounding like a stern parent, the final point is a pivotal one. It’s key to know your own betting limits, and not to exceed them. Decide how much you are willing to lose, and assume that you will lose it when you place a bet; that way, you won’t be playing with money that you can’t afford to part with, and if you do happen to get up then it will be an added bonus. Placing limits on how much you’re willing to bet, be that daily, weekly or monthly, is a good way to ensure that your betting doesn’t get away from you.
Betting on horse racing is a popular pastime for many people, and while it’s not easy to actually make a profit from, there are a few tips that it’s important to follow to give yourself a chance. From comparing odds across different betting sites to studying the form, the above are five of the most important factors to consider before betting on horse racing.
